Whakatane to Auckland It was hard to believe but I was going to come full circle on my New Zealand journey. Today’s final destination was Auckland, today’s drive the last…

Gisborne to Whakatane The day didn’t start as warm as the previous days. But, optimist that I am, I donned my bathing suit and summer clothes, for I was heading…

Havelock North to Gisborne I did my morning workout by hiking up to 399m-high Te Mata Peak, which – as it turned out – was a very popular activity for…

Back to the North Island – to Hawke's Bay Today, the Interislander ferry sailed me back to the North Island. From Wellington I followed a north-easterly trajectory towards Hawke's Bay,…

Karaka Point Luckily, the mild weather continued. Thus, on my morning walk at Karaka Point the sandy beach was so inviting that I just HAD to get my feet wet,…

Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise It was perfect weather for a cruise. Thus, for four hours, I accompanied the mailman on his mail run to places in the sound…

Kaikoura to Picton On this warm, cloudy morning, my way further north hugged the east coast for two thirds of the route. I made a first stop at Paparoa Point,…

Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway and Seal Colony I woke up at daybreak to a cloudless sky. Without hesitation I headed to the lookout I was at yesterday evening. I wanted to…

Christchurch to Kaikoura I was on the road again, further north along the east coast of the South Island to Kaikoura. As on my way to Christchurch a few days…

Banks Peninsula and Lyttleton Today was to be a day for a hike again. I decided that the Banks Peninsula Walk an hour’s drive south of Christchurch would be perfect.…